Key West Pilot Dies After WWII Plane Crashes Into Hudson River
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NEW YORK (CBSMiami/AP) -- Divers have retrieved the wreckage of a World War II plane that crashed into the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey, killing Key West pilot Bill Gordon.
The plane was pulled out of the water at about 11:30 a.m. Saturday by divers with the New York Police Department and the Army Corps of Engineers. It was being taken to a heliport in Manhattan. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will examine the aircraft as part of its investigation.
.@NYPDSpecialops on scene with the small plane crash in the Hudson River. pic.twitter.com/3IJV7QmsU1
— J. Peter Donald (@JPeterDonald) May 28, 2016
The single-seat P-47 Thunderbolt crashed at about 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The body of pilot Bill Gordon, 56, was recovered hours later. Gordon had 25 years of experience as an air show performer.
.@NYPDSpecialops personnel during rescue/recovery operation for pilot of WWII replica plane from #Hudson River. pic.twitter.com/k6vnhMxCsz
— Sgt. Carlos Nieves (@NYPDNieves) May 28, 2016
The plane was taking part in the American Airpower Museum's celebration of the P-47 Thunderbolt's 75th anniversary this weekend.
A YouTuber posted video of the plane going down. He says he was riding his bike when he saw the plane flying low along the river with smoke trailing behind it.
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